「──That concludes today’s homeroom. Class rep, please.」
「Stand, bow!」
Finally, the second day of school life comes to an end. I felt sleepy all day…
Last night, I went to bed late because Kaname-kaasan’s complaints went on longer than I thought, so I was sleep-deprived and drowsy in the morning. In the afternoon, my stomach was stuffed from Hikari and Asaki forcing various bento side dishes on me. And being full made me even sleepier.
By the way, all my attempts to reciprocate with my vegetable stir-fry were rejected. I’m frustrated.
But once homeroom is over, it’s the glorious after-school time. No one can stop me. But I’m sleepy…!!
The surroundings are noisier than during break time, with students heading to club activities, some staying in the classroom to chat with friends, and others like me preparing to go home. Come to think of it, school was always like this.
Although I felt a bit nostalgic, I thought about having vegetable stir-fry for dinner again today. Realizing this wasn’t very high school boy-like, I chuckled wryly and reached for my bag to head home.
「Good, you’re still in the classroom.」
「Hmm? Asaki?」
Just as I stood up, Asaki came into the classroom. Perhaps because of what happened during lunch, I could tell she was attracting my classmates’ attention again. I can feel their gazes piercing my back.
「Yes, it’s Asaki. I thought we could go home together for a change.」
「For a change? It’s only the second day of high school life, though.」
「Actually, I wanted to invite you yesterday too, but I was observing club activities with Hikari-san and a new friend from class…」
「Ahh, I heard from Hikari. You went to see the kendo club.」
So, if she tried to invite me yesterday too, it’s not really “for a change”, is it? Unless she means the next time would be a month later or something.
「I was never interested in club activities to begin with, so I thought I’d accompany Shou-niisama, who seems similarly uninterested, on the way home.」
「Thanks, I guess. But don’t just assume things. Although you’re right.」
「Aren’t I?」
Asaki chuckles. She really has a way of getting under your skin, but I can’t hate her because it shows she’s comfortable with me.
After all, when I first met her…
「Amakake-kun, want to hang out if you’re free?」
「Ah, me too, me too!!」
My thoughts are interrupted by a lively voice from the next seat. Oh dear, Daiki-sama is as popular as ever. Is he a prince or what?
「As expected, Dai-niisama is quite popular.」
「I never thought I’d hear the word “popular” from you, but yeah, he’s definitely popular.」
Sure, as a guy, I’ve often wished to be popular with girls. But to that extent, it’s a bit much. It seems like a hassle even to turn them down. Not sour grapes, okay?
「Sorry. I’m going home with Shougo today.」
He escaped the circle of girls with those words. That guy used me as an excuse… As expected of a traitor, how dirty.
That said, it’s probably true that he intended to go home with me. I’d want to hang out with Daiki and go home together if I were swarmed like that.
「Shougo, let’s go home together… wait, Asaki?」
「Good day, Dai-niisama.」
It seems he didn’t notice Asaki had come because he was surrounded by girls.
「I saw it all, good job. I was just about to leave with Asaki, want to join us, Daiki?」
「Oh, is that okay?」
「Of course, Dai-niisama is welcome.」
That was probably a subtle warning to the girls behind us who were thinking of following us, more directed at Daiki than us.
「Sorry. That’s how it is, so maybe next time.」
Daiki also declined the girls, as if to overlap with Asaki’s words. Just saying no wouldn’t be enough, “maybe next time” is the key point. And the fact that it comes out unconsciously is even more annoying.
So, why am I getting glared at so much?
The girls’ hateful stares pierce me. No, I didn’t do anything wrong, right? If anyone should be glared at, it should be Asaki, right!? I don’t get it.
「──Oya, isn’t that Asaki-san?」
At that sudden voice, Asaki’s shoulders twitch in response.
「Ahh, if it isn’t Amano-san. It’s been a while.」
「No need to be so formal as to call me Amano-san. We’re close, aren’t we?」
「I don’t recall agreeing to call each other by my name.」
Hmm? Amano is Natsu’s boyfriend… right? So he knew Asaki. But he’s being quite familiar, what’s their relationship?
「You don’t have to worry about it just because we’re at school. You don’t need to worry about me being a senpai and all that too.」
「Understood. Then I won’t worry about it. Shou-niisama, Dai-niisama, let’s go.」
Although her tone was as calm as ever, Asaki was pinching the hem of her clothes with her fingers. She seems to be quite displeased. On the other hand, Amano doesn’t seem to notice this.
Asaki generally doesn’t show her emotions in her demeanor, but she has a habit of pinching the hem of her clothes when something bothers her or when she’s in a bad mood. Just a little tip.
By the way, if she goes from pinching with her fingers to gripping with her palm, that’s when she’s really angry.
The fact that he doesn’t even know this habit and still says “we’re close” is just…
Even we three know at least this much.
「Well, well, no need to rush off, um, you’re Amakake-kun, right? The transfer student from yesterday? You’re quite the topic in our class.」
「Thanks for that. So, Amano… was it? Sorry, but we’re about to head home.」
「Don’t be like that, how about a little chat? For example, are you interested in the student council? You’d be popular for sure, and I can recommend you. Of course, Asaki-san too.」
Hey, hey!! There’s another person here!! So I’m not getting a recommendation, is that it!? Not that I want to join the student council, though.
「Nnn, thanks for the offer, but I just transferred yesterday and don’t really know much about this school, so I’ll pass. I think it’s better to choose someone who knows the school well and has affection for it.」
「I’m not interested either.」
「Oh dear, I’ve been rejected. What a shame.」
Amano scratches his head with a wry smile. He doesn’t seem disappointed at all, and it looks like he’s just putting on an act.
Moreover, I could see him glancing alternately between Asaki’s face and chest. He’s trying to hide it with his arm, but it’s obvious. As a man, I can understand wanting to look. I can understand, but still.
──Ahh, I don’t like this guy.
Even putting aside the fact that he’s Natsu’s boyfriend, which is their business, I’ve decided to dislike him based on the following five points of my reasoning.
1. He called Asaki by her name even though she didn’t like it.
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2. He stopped us from leaving and talked about his own agenda, even though it was clear we three were about to go home together.
3. He ignored me.
4. He looked at Asaki with obvious lustful eyes, even though he has a girlfriend.
5. He ignored me.
Therefore, guilty.
Why is Natsu dating a guy like this? I’m starting to think it was foolish of me to hold back because she had a boyfriend.
Not because Kaname-kaasan said so, but I feel I need to have a proper talk with her.
It might be rude to interfere in someone’s tastes, but if that makes her hate me, so be it.
Thinking this, I felt something settle in my heart.
With that decided, I looked towards the seat where my childhood friend should be, wondering if she was still in the classroom, but she was already gone, probably off to club activities.
Well, it would be weird to suddenly ask “Why are you dating this guy?”, so it’s probably better to wait for the right time to talk.
From what I’ve learned in these two days, she’s popular in class, so even if I say I’ll wait for the right timing, it seems unlikely there will be a situation where no one is around.
But barging into her house on a day off isn’t right either. There’s that troublesome (Tatsumi-ojisan) too. High schools probably have club activities even on days off. Hmm? Doesn’t that mean there’s no timing?
Well, I’ll think about that later, I decided, returning my focus to the present. It seems the two are still being talked to by Amano and aren’t being released easily.
I thought Asaki would be more blunt, but she’s handling it in her own way. Maybe there’s a reason she can’t just brush him off.
But at this rate, nothing will get done, so I started walking down the hallway, leaving the two behind, and called out as I looked back.
「Oi─, if you’re not coming, I’m leaving without you.」
「Ah, Shou-niisama! Please wait!!」
「O-Oi, Shougo, wait up. Sorry, Amano, but that’s how it is!」
「W-Wait!?」
I continue marching down the hallway, feeling the two catching up behind me. I felt a strong gaze on my back but decided to ignore it. I was ignored earlier too, so we’re even.
Today, my back is full of holes from all the stares.
「…Tch.」
I don’t mind even if I hear a tongue click. He probably thinks I didn’t hear it, but unfortunately for him, I have good eyes and ears. I might miss it if I’m not paying attention, but I’ve been trained to sense presence, unfortunately. For now, Amano-kun gets one more count of guilt.
「I apologize, Shou-niisama. I made you go through the trouble.」
「It’s nothing to worry about. I could tell Asaki didn’t like it.」
「What about me?」
「An extra.」
「Isn’t that harsh?」
As we walked down the hallway, I remembered and thought about what Hikari was doing today. If she found out she was the only one left out, she might get angry tomorrow…
「Asaki, by the way, what about Hikari?」
「Hikari-san said she’s going home with her new friend. Apparently, they live nearby.」
Ahh, then it’s fine. No need to worry.
We take our shoes from the lockers, change from indoor shoes to the school-designated leather shoes, and step out into the schoolyard.
As we reach the school gate, I remember that I don’t know exactly where the three of them live. I know Asaki would know due to her position, but…
「By the way, which direction are you two headed?」
I head left when I exit the school gate.
「I’m this way.」
「I’m straight ahead.」
Asaki points to the right, and Daiki says he’s going straight. Huh? Doesn’t this mean we can’t go home together?
「Didn’t you come from this direction yesterday, Daiki?」
「Ahh, my house doesn’t make bento, so I buy my lunch at the convenience store over there before coming to school.」
「Ah, I see. So, with all three of us going in different directions, there’s no going home together.」
「Then how about I escort Shou-niisama home before returning?」
「No, it’s usually the other way around. The directions are opposite, and so are the roles.」
Why am I the one being escorted?
「Shou-niisama will…? Could it be that you mean to take me to a deserted place?」
「Let’s save those lines for when it’s darker, okay?」
「You two really get along well…」
Daiki looked at us with half-closed eyes.
「Well, it’s still early, so how about Daiki and I escort Asaki home, and then we go part of the way together?」
「Hmm, sounds good.」
「Shou-niisama and Dai-niisama together… So Shou-niisama has that kind of preference too.」
What kind of preference are we talking about here?
「Alright then, let’s go home. Asaki, lead the way.」
「Since we’re at it, let’s stop by a convenience store. I want to buy a drink to take home.」
「Neither of you are listening to me…」
I gently push Asaki’s back, who is pretending to be sad, to urge her to lead the way home.
「Really… If you’re going to push, I wouldn’t mind if it was from the front.」
「That would be the wrong direction… Or are you going home backwards?」
「It would be quite a sight to go home while watching you two being so close.」
Hmm? Could it be that Asaki-san is into that kind of thing?
「Yeah, yeah, got it, so just lead the way. It’s really getting dark soon.」
「I guess I have no choice. Then, shall we go?」
It seems that her earlier displeasure had flown away with our exchange. Asaki steps between us with a lighter stride than before, moving slightly ahead to lead the way home. This is a habit she shows when she’s in a good mood.
I don’t really understand girls’ moods at all, and when I glanced at Daiki, he returned a wry smile. Apparently, he was thinking the same thing.
Asaki’s house wasn’t far from the school, about a fifteen-minute walk. Other than when we passed around the soda Daiki brought when we stopped at a convenience store along the way, Daiki got angry because Asaki and I drank more than half of it, nothing special happened, and we each returned to our respective homes.